Ephesians 3
Ephesians 3:7:
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace |
Through Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross, we can be redeemed and have forgiveness for our sins. He was sinless and only a sinless sacrifice could cover our sins. Since we are sinners, we could not redeem ourselves.
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Ephesians 3:12:
in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. |
We are a member of His supernatural community, the new creation, the kingdom of God, and we have a responsibility to reconstruct every area in terms of His word, His naming.
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St. Paul encourages the Ephesians not to lose heart over what he is suffering, but that he seems to be able to recognize that this suffering is for “their glory.” (Ephesians 3:13) Paul reveals this glory in the following paragraph when he prays to the Father that the Ephesians might “have the power to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge,” that they might “be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:1-21)
Commenting on this passage, a 16th century Spanish Carmelite named John of the Cross says that Paul is encouraging the Ephesians “not to grow weary in the midst of tribulations, but to be steadfast and rooted and grounded in love, so that they may know with all the saints the breadth, the length, the height and the depth-to know what is beyond knowledge, the love of Christ, so as to be filled with the fullness of God.” -Matthew Montag
Commenting on this passage, a 16th century Spanish Carmelite named John of the Cross says that Paul is encouraging the Ephesians “not to grow weary in the midst of tribulations, but to be steadfast and rooted and grounded in love, so that they may know with all the saints the breadth, the length, the height and the depth-to know what is beyond knowledge, the love of Christ, so as to be filled with the fullness of God.” -Matthew Montag
Ephesians 3:14-15:
For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, |
All things, according to Paul, are named or called by God. The word name in Scripture means to “define.” When the unfallen Adam was asked by God to name “every living creature” (Gen 2:19), this was a scientific task guided by God, the classification of the animal creation. God, in naming Abraham, defined Abraham in terms of a divinely ordained calling and future. Likewise, God has a reason and purpose for you.
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Ephesians 3:20-21:
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen |
This is a rich verse. For brevity, I would zone in on what I think is the phrase that binds this together and that is "according to the power that is at work with in us." The key to our power is Gods word itself. As Isaiah states "....so Shalt My Word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." I am at a loss to think of much anything that is more powerful than that. Gods word has the only 100% guarantee of successful application. That is Power! As for me, when I tell my dishes to wash themselves...they completely ignore me...and, I can't find a verse to back me up:-)
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A woman once approached the famous preacher, G. Campbell Morgan, after he spoke and asked, “Do you think we should pray for even the little things in our lives, or just for the big things?” In his dignified British manner he replied, “Madam, can you think of anything in your life that is big to God?”
Now, I see, also, that if my case is very special, still I need not tremble or stand in dread of need. What if I require superabundant Grace? I may have it! If I need exceedingly abundant help, I can have it. Ah, if I need more Grace than I dare ask for, I can have it! Yes, and if I require more than I think, I may have it, for still my Lord is able to give it to me, and what He is able to do, He is willing to do. What comfort this should afford even to poor sinners who are far away from God. He is able to give you great forgiveness for the greatest possible sin! Sins that you have not yet thought of, He can pardon! Do but come to God in Christ Jesus and you shall find Him able to save to the uttermost. If this little hint is taken up by some despairing heart, it may give it immediate peace! It cannot be true that God cannot forgive, for in Christ Jesus, ‘He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above what we ask or even think.’ (Charles Spurgeon:. Paul’s Doxology. 1875)
He is able...
(Thompson, Frank Charles. The New Comprehensive Bible Helps. "The New Chain Reference Bible," Indianapolis, IN: B.B. Kirkbride Bible Co., 1964, p.153, number 3810.)
- to raise up children from stones
- to fulfill promises even if they are humanly impossible
- to make grace abound
- to subdue all things
- to guard the soul's treasure
- to save to the uttermost
- to keep us from falling
(Thompson, Frank Charles. The New Comprehensive Bible Helps. "The New Chain Reference Bible," Indianapolis, IN: B.B. Kirkbride Bible Co., 1964, p.153, number 3810.)